The Reading: Fill in the Blanks task tests your ability to choose the correct words to complete a passage. You will see a short text with several blanks and a list of answer options. Your task is to drag and drop the correct word into each blank.
The correct answer must fit both the grammar and the meaning of the sentence. Some options may look similar or familiar, but only one word fits naturally in each blank.
Do not confuse this task with Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks; this version is a reading-only task where you drag and drop words from a word bank into the correct blanks.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks Scoring
According to Pearson's official PTE Core scoring guide, each blank is scored separately, so try to answer every blank even if you are unsure about one of them.
| Criteria | What It Measures | Scoring Range |
|---|---|---|
| Blanks | Whether each blank is completed with the correct word | 1 point for each correct answer; 0 for each incorrect answer |
Task Format
| Part | Format |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Usually 4–5 questions |
| Options | More options than blanks |
| Task | Drag and drop the correct words into the blanks |
| Skills assessed | Reading |
A Simple Strategy to Use
For each blank, ask yourself:
- What is the sentence about?
- What type of word is needed: noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?
- Which option sounds natural before and after the blank?
Do not choose a word only because you know it. The correct word must fit the sentence structure and context.
Example Question
Let's take this Reading: Fill in the Blanks example and use it throughout the guide.
In the text below, some words are missing. Drag the correct word from the box into each blank. There are more words than blanks.
Hi Support Team,
Over the past few days, my internet connection has been very (1), with frequent drops during video calls. I would appreciate it if you could (2) the issue and let me know the cause. If needed, please (3) a technician visit to resolve the problem. I'd also like to (4) whether this is related to maintenance in my area.
Thanks, Anna
Options
Step 1: Read the Entire Passage First
First, read the whole text quickly to understand the situation. In this example, Anna is writing to a support team because her internet connection has been dropping during video calls.
The main purpose of the message is to report a technical problem and ask for help.
Step 2: Identify the Word Type Needed
Now look at the grammar around each blank.
For blank 1:
my internet connection has been very (1)
After "very", we usually need an adjective. The best answer is: unstable.
For blank 2:
if you could (2) the issue
After "could", we need the base form of a verb. The best answer is: investigate.
For blank 3:
please (3) a technician visit
After "please", we need a base verb. The natural phrase is: schedule a technician visit.
For blank 4:
I'd also like to (4) whether...
After "would like to", we need a base verb. The best answer is: confirm.
Step 3: Use Context Clues
Back to the example, the phrase "frequent drops during video calls" gives a clue for blank 1. It shows that the connection is not reliable, so "unstable" fits well.
For blank 2, the phrase "let me know the cause" shows that the support team should check the problem, so "investigate" is the best choice.
For blank 3, the phrase "technician visit" commonly goes with "schedule".
For blank 4, the writer wants to check whether the issue is related to maintenance, so "confirm" fits naturally.
Step 4: Eliminate Incorrect Options
Some options may be related to the topic but still incorrect.
- inconsistent has a similar meaning to unstable, but unstable connection is the more natural phrase in this context.
- deliver does not fit with "the issue," "a technician visit," or "whether."
- calendar is a noun and does not fit any of the blanks grammatically.
Eliminating wrong options helps you avoid choosing a word only because it looks familiar.
Step 5: Review the Completed Passage
After placing the words, read the full passage again. It should sound natural, logical, and grammatically correct.
Completed Passage
Hi Support Team,
Over the past few days, my internet connection has been very (1)unstable, with frequent drops during video calls. I would appreciate it if you could (2)investigate the issue and let me know the cause. If needed, please (3)schedule a technician visit to resolve the problem. I'd also like to (4)confirm whether this is related to maintenance in my area.
Thanks, Anna
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Choosing a word based only on meaning
A word may have a similar meaning but still sound unnatural in the sentence.
Check both meaning and collocation. -
Ignoring grammar after modal verbs
Words like "could" and phrases like "would like to" should be followed by the base form of a verb.
Check the structure before choosing. -
Choosing a familiar word too quickly
Familiar words are not always correct.
Read the words before and after the blank carefully. -
Forgetting collocations
Some words naturally go together, such as "unstable connection," "investigate the issue," and "schedule a visit."
Choose the option that sounds natural in English. -
Not using all sentence clues
The answer may depend on the full sentence, not just the blank.
Read around the blank before selecting. -
Skipping the final review
A word may seem correct alone but sound wrong in the completed passage.
Read the full text again before submitting.
Practice more Reading: Fill in the Blanks tasks to build your vocabulary, strengthen your understanding of collocations, and choose words that fit naturally in context.
